Pumpkin Spice Granola

What’s super easy to make, healthy and also makes a really tasty snack? GRANOLA!

I really can’t understand why I ever spent money on granola in the past. I guess just always assumed I couldn’t make it at home. Well, you already know what happens when you assume. That’s right. I’m a total ass for never making this before. There’s a whole heck of a lot less sugar in my version then there is in the store bought stuff. Plus, you know all the ingredients that are going into it and it’s totally customizable. Oh AND it’s WAY cheaper! My grocery store charges almost $7 per pound for the pre-made stuff. My version probably costs around $2! It really doesn’t get much better than that.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)
• 1/2 cups nuts or seeds
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 tablespoons pumpkin spice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup dried fruit or chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine the oats and nuts or seeds. Add in all ingredients except dried fruit or chocolate chips. Spread out on a rimmed baking sheet covered in aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 15 to make sure all pieces bake evenly. Remove from oven and allow to completely cool before adding dried fruit or chocolate chips.

DIY Felt Easter Bunny

Click on the above image and save it to your desktop.

Start by sewing on the face. You could also use buttons or beads for the eyes.

Sew on the ears, belly, carrot, and carrot top to the front piece. Sew on the tail to the back body piece.

Begin stitching both pieces together.

Leave about 2 inches open so you can stuff the bunny.

DIY Felt Easter Bunny

Time: approx. 5 hours from start to finish

• 9″ x 12″ felt cream-colored rectangle for body
• Felt scraps: orange for carrot, green for carrot top, pink for ears and white for belly and tail
• Polyfil stuffing
• Needle, matching thread & sewing pins
• Scissors
• Pattern (above)
• Vanishing fabric marker

Click and save the above pattern, print and trim out each piece. Trace the body pattern on the cream felt twice with the disappearing marker and cut out. Trace the remaining patterns onto their corresponding felt colors and trim. Using one of the two felt body pieces, start sewing the face onto the bunny. Then, on the same piece of felt, sew on the ears, belly, carrot and carrot top using matching thread. On the second body piece, sew on the tail. Using a pin, pin both body pieces together and begin to stitch the seam leaving about a 2″ opening to stuff it. See my pictures above if you’re unsure, but remember you’re not turning the fabric inside out. Stuff lightly, making sure to push stuffing into the ears, feet and arms. Stitch the opening and you’re done!

Homemade Laundry Detergent

We started making our own laundry soap about 2 years ago and haven’t looked back. It’s super easy, minus the whole hand-cramping, grating-a-bar-of-soap thing, but once it’s done you don’t need to make another batch for a while. I just bought a cheap-o cheese grater from the dollar store and only use it for this purpose. We use about a tablespoon per load and it lasts us about six months.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

• 1 bar of Fels-Naptha laundry soap, shaved
• 1 cup of borax
• 1 cup of washing soda

Thoroughly stir together for 5 minutes. Each batch yields 32 ounces which equals about 64 loads based on how many tablespoons you use per load. That’s it!